Figuring out what to pack in your carry-on luggage is not always an easy task. Now that I have been on an abundance of flights, I’ve come to realize what I deem essential to have a relaxing trip! I try to pack light whenever I can and prefer to use carry-on only if possible! Yes, we have even had month-long trips only using carry-on luggage. Here are my top 10 items you just might want to consider when wondering what to pack in your carry-on luggage!
Why I Prefer Travelling Carry-On Only
Travelling carry-on is without a doubt the way to go. Especially if you are going on a short trip, there are few reasons (in my humble opinion) why you would need a full suitcase. The main benefit is not having to wait in long lines! No need to wait in line for the bag drop-off and again wait in line for your luggage to come out at the conveyor belt. Simply check in online ahead of your flight, and you can go straight to the security line at the airport. This saves you loads of time at the airport, and you’ll have plenty more time at the lounge!
10 Essential Things to Pack in Your Carry-On Luggage
1. Toiletry Travel Bottles
If you are anything like me, you always want to travel prepared with some basic hygienic necessities. Purchasing travel bottles is a great way to do just that, and it’s really easy and cheap too. Although you can purchase plastic travel bottles at the dollar store, I have found that they will crack after a short period of time, and thus I have switched to rubber travel bottles for long-term use! They are awesome because they can be reused again and again without the wear and tear of the traditional travel bottles.
Travel Tip 1: Please note that as these bottles are in your carry-on, they must be put in a small plastic see-through bag, and the bottles can only be up to 100ml in volume. When you go through airport security, you usually have to bag out of your main carry-on luggage and place it in one of the bins!
Travel Tip 2: If you commonly use conditioner, be sure to fill up one of your travel bottles with it! Many hotels only give you shampoo and body wash, so this has come in really handy for me!
2. Save your Jacket for Your Seat!
I find that when I travel on airlines, I often feel chilly. Bringing your jacket on board with you is a great option to ensure that you’ll stay warm! On long-haul flights, you’ll likely be given a pillow and a blanket to use; however, on some short-haul flights, the airline usually doesn’t provide these items. On one particular chilly short-haul flight, I asked the flight attendant for a blanket, but unfortunately they were out! Since then, my jacket comes on board with me!
3. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are awesome items to use, especially if you like to organize things into different compartments. These are so versatile and can be used for anything! An easy way to stay organized and reach different items in a hurry!
4. Extra Clothing
Bringing 1-2 days’ clothes in your carry-on is always a good idea! The first reason for that is because in the event that your checked luggage gets lost, you’ll still have some clothes to work with while you wait for the arrival of your belongings. This unfortunate scenario has happened to friends of mine, and luckily they had been prepared for this incident as they had extra clothes in their carry-on! Another reason for taking extra clothes with you is to have a clean set to change into if you have a long layover! During a recent layover, I was able to book an airport hotel room for a short time. It was great to have a quick shower, change of clothes, and rest before catching my next flight!
5. Buying Groceries Before Your Flight
Buying snacks before heading to the airport is a great way to save a few $$. In the past, after walking through security, I would usually grab a bite while waiting for my flight. You can bring your own food from outside (obviously food that is appropriate to fly to a new country with) and take it through security. Food at the airport is often overpriced, so I’ve started buying snacks ahead of time and instead ate this food while I waited for my flight to depart.
6. Resuseable Bag (Food Bag)
Going along with this food theme, I recently purchased a small compact backpack to carry my snacks in. I paid 2 euros for this bag at my new favourite store called Decathlon. It’s awesome as it folds into itself when you no longer need it and weighs next to nothing! Overall, I find it to be super handy, and I actually use it all the time while travelling!
7. Empty Water bottle
Although it’s common knowledge that you can’t take a full water bottle through airport security, you can certainly take an empty one! Once you are through security, head to a restaurant or fountain and fill up your water bottle for free!
8. TV/Movie Download
Did you know that some TV/Movie apps have the ability to download shows? I use Netflix, and on this app you have the ability to pre-download many TV series and movies! Not all titles have the ability to be downloaded, but many do! This has been a great way to stay occupied on the flight! Before travelling, I download many new TV series that I haven’t binge-watched yet, and some old favourite flicks as well! During the flight, after takeoff, you have the ability to pull down your tray. I usually set up my iPad on the tray and watch away! On long-haul flights, you’ll usually have a mini TV in front for you to watch something; however, on low-cost carriers for short-haul flights, they don’t have the screens.
9. Earphone Splitter
Travelling with a friend? Having an earphone splitter has been my go-to! It is awesome that my partner and I can listen and watch the same thing at once! Best of all, the earphone splitter can be found at the dollar store!
10. Grid-It
I always struggle with keeping my cables organized, and now that I document my travels regularly, I bring plenty of adapters and cables for all of my equipment. Having the Grid-it helped me save time by trying to locate these items quickly, and it is a great tool to have everything organized in one place.
Quick Carry-On Packing Tips for Long Flights
When you book a flight you most likely will be allowed a carry-on and a personal item. The carry-on will most likely be put in the overhead compartment, whereas the personal-item will be with you at your seat. It’s important to pack the things that you want at your seat inside your personal item bag. If your personal item bag (which stay next to your feet) is quite small as you only had a small purse, then I find using that 10L reuseable bag from Decathalon quite handy!
At my seat I’ll usually have the following items with me in my personal item bag:
- Wallet/passport
- Headphones
- Tablet
- Jacket/sweater
- Waterbottle
- Snackbag
Specifically for long-haul flights, we have added bringing an inflatable neck pillow and a shoe hammok. It honestly makes those 10+ flights go back so much more comfortably. Having a place put your feet and to lean your head makes it SOOO much comfortable. As someone who has taken many 15+ flights between North America and Asia, I wonder to myself why I didn’t purchase these two things sooner!!
For those long-haul flights it is important to get up and walk a bit and stretch. If I’m sitting in the middle or window seat, I’ll always get up when the person in the aisle seat does as a way to stretch my legs and get some movement in too!
While I check-out the movies on the airplane TVs, I also always download my favourite TV shows on my iPad too. This way I can ensure I’ll be able to watch a few of my favourites on the flight!
FAQs About What to Pack in Your Carry-on Luggage
How much carry-on luggage is allowed?
This is not a straightforward answer as every airlines has its own rules. You will need to check the measurements and weight allowance for your flight before you start packing. At the airport your carry-on luggage might get weighed, as well might have to be put into the measurement stand. If you don’t have the proper sized carry-on then you might be charged extra and/or might have to check it in.
While not all airlines check the weight of your carry-on luggage, I’d ensure that it fits the proper dimensions and weight so that you’ll avoid any potential issues.
What to use for a carry-on luggage lock?
Not all carry-on suitcases nor backpacks come with luggage locks. We always add a TSA lock to ours, that way while we are navigating through the airport, leaving our bag by our seat in a lounge, or when it’s stored overhead on the flight, we know that it’s secured.
